Chinese New Year's Resolutions or the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night (do you remember that part or did you just hum that line, too?)

So, anyhoo, during a giveaway a couple weeks ago everyone was nice enough to tell us all some of their resolutions for 2010.

And some of us are determined not to make any- which is kind of like making one anyway.

I have always been a bit lazy about resolutions and certain other types of long-term planning

(although I do have a nice family plot picked out under a shade tree in Tucson for hubby and I)

this is one reason we have never gone on a cruise

(there are other reasons involving seasickness and the joiny kind of things cruises require you to do- and of course, the cold hard cash part of the whole cruise experience)

because cruises, among many other things that I will probably never get to do, require some kind of long term planning.

Or maybe because I can still hear my grandmother saying "if you want to hear God laugh, tell her your plans"

(or maybe that was a country song, I forget now ...)

but anyway, planning has always been a bit of a problem for me- although I am a bit of a short-term list maker, so do get a few things accomplished here and there.

With the Chinese New Year about to roll into the Year of the Tiger (can you say that without hearing the Rocky song play in your head ... I didn't think so)

and I know it's Eye of the Tiger, but still ...

I can at least resolve to NOT do a few things in the new year.

1. Run in any kind of marathon

(I can't believe I even thought this was remotely possible last year- although I am determined to beat that damn race-walker at the reservoir- she will be at least 65 when we meet up again in the spring and I will be on a bike this year, so I am thinking I will finally be able to take her)

2. Choose logic over intuition

(nope, not gonna do it)

3. Watch a movie with Nicolas Cage in it

(sorry, but I can still hear him whining, "Peeeegggggy" to Kathleen Turner and it creeps me out- I did like Birdy though)

4. Join Facebook

(I may not say never to this one, but I can probably hold out for another 12 months)

5. Give up diet pepsi

(I've tried, I can't do it, I admit it)

6. Give up vampires

(even though I think know there is a connection between America's vampire obsession and America's obsession with not aging I'm still waiting on True Blood's new season)

7. Weigh myself

(because muscle weighs more than fat, remember, and even though I am feeling like I need to trade in my pencil skirt for the crayola model, I know it is all muscle)

8. Give up our vacation

(never again, we are taking one this year)

I could go on and on with things I am not going to do because, well I am a little bit lazy and most things are a little bit efforty, but just know that when you are multi-tasking and getting all sorts of things accomplished, I am most likely lying on the couch drinking diet pepsi and watching vampires .. or at least I hope to be.

(celebratory Tiger card by Frantic Meerkat)

Uncommon Goods Catalog is in the Mail!

Very exciting to come home and find the Uncommon Goods Valentine's Day catalog in my mailbox. If it is in your mailbox, too- check out page 65 for three exclusive sets of Polarity lockets only available through them - Unusual by Christy Zaragoza (Peppermint Daydreams), Nature by Holly Ward Bimba (Gollybard) and Whimsical by Jessica Doyle!

This is my first catalog for Polarity and I have loved Uncommon Goods forever and am so happy to be in there!

Time Out Tuesday - or more stuff to check out while you eat your tuna on an everything bagel

Roland Tiangco dirt poster- take a look at how this piece is created by the buyer.




The amazing compilation art of Michael Johnson- rooms in boxes.


The complete Miles Davis collection on CD with recreated record covers- be still my heart...


Sundance can almost make me like cold weather ... almost.




Can fast food packaging get us to eat healthier?


The intricate beadwork of Viktoria of Donauluft- can wearable art be any more amazing...


The beautiful pillows of textile and graphic designer Erin Flett.


These little book covers can hide your latest romance novel or vampire fiction with a cover you can be proud of.


George Hart 72Pencils sculpture.


A tattoo with changeable text? or for someone who has nothing to say?


The stunning art of Meluseena artist Lisa Falzon and yes, she has a locket!

GIVEAWAY Ashley Jewelry Saucer Ring for Haiti Relief CLOSED

AND THE WINNER IS KATE AND OLI!

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 370
Result:
231
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

When I saw that the amazingly talented Ashley Akers of Ashley Jewelry was offering 50% of her proceeds from this little goodie to Doctors Without Borders for Haiti Relief- I gobbled it up because I knew someone out there would just love to win it!

Ashley has lived and worked in Fort Worth for seven years. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a BFA majoring in jewelry and metalsmithing. The rocks and pebbles in her jewelry are inspired by her job at a garden shop and she a great passion for plants and the outdoors. Ashley enjoys elevating the perceived value of a found object such as a pebble by juxtaposing it with silver and semi-precious gemstones.


I know you will love her work as much as I do!

WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive Ashley's saucer ring in choice of size.





HOW TO WIN:

This one is easy peasy- just leave a comment below with your contact info!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, January 24th! Good luck!! CLOSED

Haiti Relief Fundraiser at Indie Fixx

The wonderful Jen of Indie Fixx has collected an amazing assortment of handmade goodies from some talented and generous artists which will be auctioned off and the proceeds sent on to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief.

She needs our help with some bidding- so meander on over and take a look- new items added each day!

Small Things = Big Difference or how NOT to burn out

This is the first of a new weekly column this winter with tiny tips to save the planet by buying eco friendly items and maximizing the value of those items by making them last longer.

Dark Suckers; most commonly known as CANDLES

1. What to Buy

BEESWAX: Candles made with beeswax are naturally fragrant, nontoxic, soot-free, and non-allergenic. They’re completely renewable and require little, if any, additives. They burn longer than regular petroleum based paraffin candles.

SOY: Candles with soybean-based wax are generally vegan, soot-free, and biodegradable, and like beeswax, they’re renewable. They also burn up to 50 percent longer than paraffin candles.

PALM OIL: This wax comes from coconuts (the fruit of palm trees) so no plants die during harvesting. Palm oil candles are clean burning and long lasting. When buying soy or palm oil candles look for GMO free- certified organic ingredients are GMO-free and therefore healthier for the world's seed supplies.

2. How to Make 'Em Last

LIGHTS OUT- Although it seems counter-intuitive, the fact is that burning a pillar or jar candle for at least an hour per inch of candle diameter every time you light up will give the candle many more burning hours. This way the flame has enough time to melt the wax all the way to the outer edges so the candle burns down evenly.

VOTIVES- Burn votives in holders and they will last up to twice as long.

WINDS- Moving air makes the candle burn down unevenly and can waste alot of wax- of course it does look more dramatic casting dancing shadows on the walls

PINCUSHION- Tapered candle or votive remnants make great pincushions just chop off the wick- pins with a bit of wax on them slip through fabric easily, too.

WAX DRIPS- I kind of like wax drips- but when they get to be too much on your candle holders - pop the holder into the freezer for 1/2 an hour and the wax will shrink and pop off

MELT 'EM DOWN - It is easy to melt down your leftover candles into one large candle- melt them in a food can (not aluminum) set in 2 inches of boiling water and melt over low heat- scoop out the wicks with a stick and then pour the wax back into a candle jar, etc and add a new craft-store wick - easy, peasy

3. Final Tips

Be sure to choose 100 percent paraffin-free options (some natural candle manufacturers add a little paraffin to the mix). Paraffin wax is made from petroleum and produces carcinogens and soot when burned. Soot from a paraffin candle contains many of the same toxins produced by burning diesel fuel and even many of the so-called healthy, aromatherapy candles sold today can do more harm than good.

Opt out of lead-based wicks (very common in regular candles). Seek out animal-free products: sometimes candles (yes, even natural ones) are made with stearic acid — an animal-derived fat from meatpacking plants. Synthetic fragrances have been identified as VOC-emitters so choose candles scented with botanical oils and natural fragrances.

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha

(yes I know, I am quoting Buddha now, but you know how Olive and I like to dispense great truths with this little blog)